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eldritch_horror's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
anastasiabookgirl's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
danielles_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is so damn good! I've read quite a few young adult graphic novels, and almost all of them left me feeling rather underwhelmed. This one, though, really blew me away. It's age appropriate for teenagers, while still being so emotional for adults as well.
I love that this memoir included so much reflection, which is always my favorite part of memoirs. Myer regularly pointed out things that they* did wrong, or events where they got lucky. They also analyzed some other people's reactions to discuss why they might have reacted the way they did because of what they had experienced. It's a really honest and vulnerable approach that made what the author went through hit so much harder.
I seriously cried so often throughout this book, especially during the second half. No one deserves to go through the things that Myer did. Yes, it was mostly due to racism but I think it will deeply affect anyone who has experienced bullying for any reason. Myer wrote in the author's note that this story "is for all who feel or have felt like an outsider" and I think they definitely accomplished that.
Thankfully Myer had such loving and supportive parents. I loved hearing their dad's wisdom, and how he supported their interests (like going to an anime convention!! that alone made me cry lol Myer's happiness was so palpable). I'm not a huge anime fan myself but seeing an episode of anime change Myer's life was so emotional for me. I'm so glad that exists for people.
I love that this memoir included so much reflection, which is always my favorite part of memoirs. Myer regularly pointed out things that they* did wrong, or events where they got lucky. They also analyzed some other people's reactions to discuss why they might have reacted the way they did because of what they had experienced. It's a really honest and vulnerable approach that made what the author went through hit so much harder.
I seriously cried so often throughout this book, especially during the second half. No one deserves to go through the things that Myer did. Yes, it was mostly due to racism but I think it will deeply affect anyone who has experienced bullying for any reason. Myer wrote in the author's note that this story "is for all who feel or have felt like an outsider" and I think they definitely accomplished that.
Thankfully Myer had such loving and supportive parents. I loved hearing their dad's wisdom, and how he supported their interests (like going to an anime convention!! that alone made me cry lol Myer's happiness was so palpable). I'm not a huge anime fan myself but seeing an episode of anime change Myer's life was so emotional for me. I'm so glad that exists for people.
"Sometimes people try to invade your world without trying to understand or respect it. ... Just keep on liking what you like... even if you're the only one in the whole damn school who does!"
"That RACIST little FUCKER! I hope you hit him HARD."
Plus, the artwork is amazing. There is so much detail on every page! I loved that I got to check out a physical copy of this to really appreciate all the colors and line work. The way Myer drew their internal monster was so scary and yet so true to life. Myer said in the beginning that they've always had a wild imagination, and it definitely shows with all the visualizations of their past self's thoughts. And I liked the lettering too!
Wow... I'm a HUGE dork, hehe.
Just seeing the author share all their interests without any self-consciousness, no matter how "weird" it might seem to people, was so refreshing.
Ultimately, I'd definitely recommend this to all readers, whether teens or adults. Myer's story deserves to be shared and read by more people.
Ultimately, I'd definitely recommend this to all readers, whether teens or adults. Myer's story deserves to be shared and read by more people.
* Note: The author currently uses they/them pronouns, but only she/her are used throughout the book.
dwarrowdams's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Really sad but powerful book about the impact of racism (specifically anti-Asian racism) on the author’s life. Mind the CWs, but the art is lovely and the book is very much worth your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence and Sexual harassment
arirose's review
5.0
Sarah Myer currently uses they/them pronouns but referred to themself with she/her pronouns so I'll flip between the two, as this is what I'd prefer as a trans-artist if I told my own story. (If I ever learn Sarah would prefer otherwise, I'll try to return to this to correct)
Sarah was so raw and honest in their telling of her story growing up as a Korean American adoptee in a rural part of America. They didn't hold back in showing the racism, sexism, and homophobia that she experienced as kid. It was, at time, jarring and heartbreaking. But so beautiful that Sarah always stayed true to herself and grew to love themself and better themself.
The art style was very good, especially in the fantastical and disturbing. I don't know if it was intentional or maybe I read t o into it, but I noticed that Sarah was drawn in a more sketchy style than the rest of the characters (especially in high emotional moments, which that I believe was intentional). It was a nice touch, as Sarah felt she was always the odd one out (they were treated as such so often, after all).
Sarah was so raw and honest in their telling of her story growing up as a Korean American adoptee in a rural part of America. They didn't hold back in showing the racism, sexism, and homophobia that she experienced as kid. It was, at time, jarring and heartbreaking. But so beautiful that Sarah always stayed true to herself and grew to love themself and better themself.
The art style was very good, especially in the fantastical and disturbing. I don't know if it was intentional or maybe I read t o into it, but I noticed that Sarah was drawn in a more sketchy style than the rest of the characters (especially in high emotional moments, which that I believe was intentional). It was a nice touch, as Sarah felt she was always the odd one out (they were treated as such so often, after all).
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
Yes, the gods have blessed me! I was allowed to read a new First Second book! offers some chocolate as gratitude.
This was an amazing graphic novel about growing up, anxiety, mental health, adoption, racism (I wanted to yeet people so damn hard), figuring out identity, being queer, and much more. We see our MC from when she was tiny to adult. You really see her grow up.
I loved her parents, who were supportive and were there for her (I loved how her mom was all kind and trying to help her and her father just says this at one point when talking with her about school: That racist little fucker, I just snorted, I am sorry, but go dad). I loved how they talked to her, gave her advice, helped her in any way they could, and more.
My heart broke so many times and I cried a few times.
The art was really good and I love the style, especially when she showed her inner feelings, monsters and scary things. I could really relate. Also with being boisterous and loud and over the top to hide feelings/not sure how to express your feelings.
I loved that she loves anime. From Sailor Moon to Pokemon to Evangelion (well, OK, this one I still need to watch after being an anime fan for years, but I am just not that big on mecha and I heard stories about the story so I will really need to find a moment that I am well enough to watch). I loved that she kept on watching and drawing despite everything. And that she was able to go to cons.
I would highly recommend this book, but be sure to bring tissues. You will need them.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Yes, the gods have blessed me! I was allowed to read a new First Second book! offers some chocolate as gratitude.
This was an amazing graphic novel about growing up, anxiety, mental health, adoption, racism (I wanted to yeet people so damn hard), figuring out identity, being queer, and much more. We see our MC from when she was tiny to adult. You really see her grow up.
I loved her parents, who were supportive and were there for her (I loved how her mom was all kind and trying to help her and her father just says this at one point when talking with her about school: That racist little fucker, I just snorted, I am sorry, but go dad). I loved how they talked to her, gave her advice, helped her in any way they could, and more.
My heart broke so many times and I cried a few times.
The art was really good and I love the style, especially when she showed her inner feelings, monsters and scary things. I could really relate. Also with being boisterous and loud and over the top to hide feelings/not sure how to express your feelings.
I loved that she loves anime. From Sailor Moon to Pokemon to Evangelion (well, OK, this one I still need to watch after being an anime fan for years, but I am just not that big on mecha and I heard stories about the story so I will really need to find a moment that I am well enough to watch). I loved that she kept on watching and drawing despite everything. And that she was able to go to cons.
I would highly recommend this book, but be sure to bring tissues. You will need them.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
hanyentreletras's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Estoy llorando casi a la medianoche.
Sarah tiene una personalidad bastante enérgica y lamento mucho que haya pasado por todo lo que tuvo que pasar. Pero al final velo por elle y comenzó a sanar.
Tuvo unos grandes padres y creo que eso le ayudó a no desmoronarse por completo (eso y el arte obviamente).
Es un memoir crudo y doloroso pero también con un toque de comedia. Ojalá poder enviarle un abrazo!!
Sarah tiene una personalidad bastante enérgica y lamento mucho que haya pasado por todo lo que tuvo que pasar. Pero al final velo por elle y comenzó a sanar.
Tuvo unos grandes padres y creo que eso le ayudó a no desmoronarse por completo (eso y el arte obviamente).
Es un memoir crudo y doloroso pero también con un toque de comedia. Ojalá poder enviarle un abrazo!!